IDTA / TDI / IHSA Dance Competition

20130316-009Champaign, IL - As my youngest daughter danced in her last high school competition yesterday, I couldn't help but think what the future holds for competitive dance in the State of Illinois. Prior to 2005, there was only one official association - the Illinois Drill Team Association (ITDA) which was founded over 35 years ago.

In 2005, Team Dance Illinois (TDI), was formed and began to slowly draw high schools away from IDTA competitions. At least that's my observation as there seems to be fewer people each year in attendance at the University of Illinois Assembly Hall when ITDA holds their State Finals.

Now, in 2013, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), which represents almost all high school sports in the state of Illinois, has included competitive dance to their roster and held it's first state competition at US Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, Illinois a few months ago. They actually did a great job for their first year and I expect it will only get stronger moving forward.

It's hard for me to believe that Illinois High School's can support all three associations so it will be interesting to see if one will emerge as the single association for State of Illinois and State Titles in Dance.